The 812 is a podcast about local government in Bloomington and Monroe County, featuring half-hour interviews with elected and appointed officials, heads of non-profits, and others who make the community tick.
The host, Steve Volan, retired from 20 years on the Bloomington city council about two weeks before the show launched. He brings a wealth of background and knowledge to explaining the function of local government and how it connects to the community.
The 812’s first season featured episodes five days a week from January to June. The show went to three episodes a week in Season 2, from August to December (a pace which continues in its current Season 3). The 100+ interviews featured on the show in 2024 can be downloaded through most podcast apps and at the812show.org.
Below are links to five episodes that typify the show.
Interview with an Elected Official
(Episode 87, June 7, 2024) Steve talks with Judge Catherine Stafford, about the project she initiated to reduce evictions throughout Monroe County.
Interview with an Appointed Official
(Episode 62, April 11, 2024) Steve interviews Hank Duncan, city bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, about making city streets safer for non-car users of all kinds and abilities.
Interview with a Non-Profit
(Episode 60, April 9, 2024) In this episode Steve speaks with Emily Pike, director of the county’s only homeless shelter for families, during which she cites shocking statistics about the scale of the problem.
Conversation with a Journalist
(Episode 115, September 13, 2024) Some episodes are “Work Sessions,” in which Steve talks with reporters from local news media about stories involving local government. In this unusual interview with NPR TV critic Eric Deggans (he’s an IU alum who returns every so often to teach), he and Steve have a meta-conversation about Bloomington and how his experiences here formed his long career in journalism.
Conversation on a Special Topic
(Episode 140, November 13, 2024) Occasionally the show will take on special topics like events (a total eclipse of the sun) or one-time projects like the Janeway Collective, a group that built a statue in Bloomington to celebrate the “future birthplace” of a fictional character, Captain Kathryn Janeway from the TV series Star Trek: Voyager. Steve interviews two of the founders about how they raised money, fabricated the statue, and collaborated with city government to install it in a public place.
We hope you enjoy the show!
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